Cut it Up Small

-

It’s truly crazy.

Every time I cut up an onion to prepare a sauce I hear my Dad’s voice in my head:

“Cut it up small.”

I don’t think I was more than 10 years old when he told me that. He used to grab one of us on Sunday morning to teach us the tricks of the trade.

We all learned to make great sauce.

The thing is, I have never quite got his marinara down. Mine is good to very good. His was absolutely ridiculous, and my brother Jeff really had it down as well.

I can’t ask them now!

I know that a great olive oil is required and garlic and onion (cut up small) of course, but the spices may be where I’m a tad off. Dad used a log of basil and black pepper. 

Kathy doesn’t want things too spicy, so I take a better run at it when I’m cooking for myself.

The thing is...

...it’s all about that little voice in my head.

That’s the cool part of cooking some 37 years later.

My boys haven’t stood beside me and helped as I’ve made the sauce, but lately there have been signs.

“I made some of the clams,” Jake texted me the other night.

For years and years they would turn up their noses as I made clam dishes on Wednesday nights.

“Just try a couple,” I told them.

Since then, I’ve had to buy a ton of clams.

And I’ve noticed them watching, and participating in the eating.

The thing is:

I’m not going to know what they are going to remember some 30 or 40 years from now.

I’m sure there will be plenty of lessons there.

That’s the thing about sons and Dads.

Sentences stick.

Lessons are learned.

Actions are imitated...

...and I’ve done my best to put my best foot forward.

I ate pretty well yesterday.

The sauce was pretty damn good...

...but not quite perfect.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I be...
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more